Decision : 27 COM 8C.22
Takht-e Soleyman (Iran (Islamic Republic of))

The World Heritage Committee,

1. InscribesTakht-e Soleyman, Islamic Republic of Iran, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi):

Criterion (i): Takht-e Soleyman is an outstanding ensemble of royal architecture, joining the principal architectural elements created by the Sasanians in a harmonious composition inspired by their natural context.

Criterion (ii): The composition and the architectural elements created by the Sasanians at Takht-e Soleyman have had strong influence not only in the development of religious architecture in the Islamic period, but also in other cultures.

Criterion (iii): The ensemble of Takht-e Soleyman is an exceptional testimony of the continuation of cult related to fire and water over a period of some two and half millennia. The archaeological heritage of the property is further enriched by the Sasanian town, which is still to be excavated.

Criterion (iv): Takht-e Soleyman represents an outstanding example of a Zoroastrian sanctuary, integrated with Sasanian palatial architecture within a composition, which can be seen as a prototype.

Criterion (vi): As the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary, Takht-e Soleyman is the foremost property associated with one of the early monotheistic religions of the world. The property has many important symbolic relationships, being also a testimony of the association of the ancient beliefs, much earlier than the Zoroastrianism, as well as in its association with significant biblical figures and legends.